American RestaurantRestaurantBar & GrillTavernBarSports BarPub
Rusty Bucket, located in Cincinnati, OH, is a casual neighborhood tavern serving high quality food and beverage in a "come as you are" setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time. Join us for lunch, grab a drink during Happy Hour, bring the kids for dinner - there's a spot for everyone at Rusty Bucket!
Customers generally praised the food, highlighting dishes like fried pickles, salmon, and burgers as particularly delicious.
Service Excellence
Many reviews commended the attentive and friendly service provided by staff, with specific mentions of servers like Crystal and Maggie.
Cleanliness Concerns
Some customers raised issues regarding cleanliness, particularly in relation to food safety and the condition of the restaurant.
Mixed Experiences
While many had positive experiences, there were notable complaints about slow service and incorrect orders, indicating inconsistency.
DO
david o
1 day ago
3.0
Suburban chain for drinks and food. Choose a salad and a special which was hot dogs with chili and cheese. Standard Cincinnati fare. The salad was average and the hot dogs above average. Atmosphere, at first was positive, with the dining room area full along with the bar. The bar is a rectangle with TVs around it so watching a game is convenient. Service is a average, while engaging at the beginning, it fell off towards the end via lack of contact or follow up. Thought drink prices arena bit high for a well vodka cranberry is $10.
LT
Latoya Tubbs
3 days ago
5.0
Second time going to Rusty Bucket, first location in Deerfield and second location in Rookwood, both in Cincinnati, OH. Both locations were so great. The food was so delicious we had to try multiple items on the happy hour menu and our waitress/server Molly was so energetic and helpful. The double stacked quesadilla is delicious, the Sicilian Pizza was amazing, and the Lucy Juicy Burger is a definite must try. Will be back soon
RC
Randy CKRG
6 days ago
2.0
Ordered the Saturday special, all beef, sirloin chili, chili dogs. First bite was cold and the rest was luke warm at its best. The sirloin chili on it tasted like can chili. Did not notice any sirloin. Not worth the +$17 at all. Not much of a special. I would of complained but I was in a rush. Do not do this special, ever! Food trucks are better.
JA
Joe Anderson
Dec 21, 2025
5.0
Food was very good. We loved the fried pickles, Ruben, buffalo chicken very much !! Kids were happy too. Our server was very accommodating for our larger group with kids. I recommend this place.
LV
L Vern
Dec 1, 2025
4.0
Was greeted right away upon arrival! Had the bacon burger, spinach queso, Rueben, Mac and cheese and fries for sides. Queso wasn’t my favorite but overall was satisfied. I plan on going back to try some other things on the menu!
Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern
Does the Rusty Bucket have a Happy Hour?
Yes! Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers special pricing on select items Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Happy Hour offerings are not limited to the bar area, so guests can enjoy these specials anywhere in the restaurant or on the patio. The Rusty Bucket’s Happy Hour menu includes 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, $7 Juicy Lucy Burgers, and $1 off Beer, Wine & Cocktails.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer specialty cocktails?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the perfect cocktail for everyone. The cocktail menu consists of the Cold Brew Martini, Rusty Bucket’s own version of an espresso martini, the Pine Fin, served on the rocks, as a martini, or as a cosmo, two cocktails on draft, the Draft Bucket Punch and the Draft Margarita, and many more delicious drinks. Features may change – to see the full, most current cocktail list.
Can the Rusty Bucket accommodate large parties?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers various private dining options across many of their locations. Seating ranges from 10 to 55 guests, dependent upon location, which includes the option of their 4-season, private dining patios. It’s best to call your local Rusty Bucket to discuss your plans and complete your reservation.
What kind of restaurant is the Rusty Bucket?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is a casual American restaurant and tavern serving the highest quality of food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, or having a business dinner, the Rusty Bucket believes that every neighborhood deserves that go-to gathering place where craveable favorites, good conversations, and camaraderie are shared amongst friends and family. Everybody’s welcome, and some even say the Rusty Bucket is a grown-up place to bring the kids.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer Brunch?
No, the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern does not offer a Brunch menu. Each location offers a lunch menu every day of the week. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for hours of operation.
What’s the Rusty Bucket famous for?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is famous for their great Happy Hour specials, offered Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, where you can receive special pricing on select menu items, including 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, and more.Some of Rusty Bucket’s menu items that stand out include their Fish & Chips, Bucket Burger, and variety of Artisan Pizzas, which are handmade with dough that is made fresh daily. They also offer a range of handcrafted cocktails, as well as a robust beer list with a few local brewery collaborations from time to time.Rusty Bucket’s atmosphere is known to most as a go-to gathering place for any occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, having a business dinner, or watching sports or indulging before or after a big game, it is the perfect place for everyone.
Is there patio seating?
Yes! Most Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern locations offer patio seating, dependent upon location, and some even offer four-season availability. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for more details about these options.
Where’s the best place to park?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern offers free parking with a designated parking lot.
Are Reservations required?
Reservations are not required but they are recommended. The dining room can be particularly busy in the later part of the week. If OpenTable is showing no availability for your preferred day and time, we recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer any fundraising options?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern has a program called Dine ‘n Donate. Any guests who are a part of an organization looking to raise funds can participate in the Dine ‘n Donate program. Guests can choose a date, Monday-Thursday, the Rusty Bucket will create a flyer, and supporters of the organization can dine in or order carryout any time during business hours on that chosen day. On that chosen date, anyone who presents the flyer will have 15% of net sales (food and soft beverages) donated to the organization. For more information or to fill out the Dine ‘n Donate request form.
Does the Rusty Bucket have any specials throughout the week?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers Daily Drink Features for every day of the week. These features include Monday Motivation- $5 Wheatley vodka all day long, Poppin’ Bottles Tuesday- 1/2 priced bottles of wine, Whiskey Wednesday- specially priced whiskeys, Punch Perfect Thursday- Bucket’s House Bucket Punch on draft by the glass or pitcher, Shaken Not Stirred Friday- specially priced Belvedere martinis, Pine Fin Cosmos & Pine Fin Martinis, Gary’s Famous Margarita Saturday- share a pitcher (or drink a glass yourself), and Bloody Sunday- specially priced Bloody Marys; choose from Not Spicy, Spicy or Stupid Spicy.
Does the Rusty Bucket have a loyalty program?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the Bucket List, an exclusive subscriber list. When you join the Bucket List, you receive a Bucket full of benefits including being the first to know about happenings and new features at the Rusty Bucket, exclusive deals sent straight to your inbox, and a complimentary dessert during your birthday month! Join the Bucket List!
Does Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offer a Happy Hour?
Yes, Rusty Bucket offers Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, including half-price appetizers, $12 pizzas, $7 Juicy Lucy burgers, and discounts on beer, wine, and cocktails.
Are specialty cocktails available at Rusty Bucket?
Yes, Rusty Bucket features a cocktail menu with options such as the Cold Brew Martini, Pine Fin martini or cosmo, Draft Bucket Punch, Draft Margarita, and more. Offerings may vary by location.
Can Rusty Bucket accommodate large party bookings?
Yes, Rusty Bucket offers private dining options seating between 10 to 55 guests, including four-season private patios. It’s best to call the local Rusty Bucket to discuss reservations.
What type of dining experience does Rusty Bucket provide?
Rusty Bucket is a casual American restaurant and tavern offering high-quality food and drinks in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, suitable for occasions like birthdays, business dinners, or casual gatherings.
Is patio seating available at Rusty Bucket?
Yes, most locations have patio seating, with some offering four-season availability. Contact your local Rusty Bucket for specific details.
What are Rusty Bucket’s hours of operation?
Rusty Bucket is open Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Where can I park when visiting Rusty Bucket?
There is free parking available in Rusty Bucket’s designated parking lot for customers.
What nearby places can I visit before or after dining at Rusty Bucket?
Nearby, you can visit Starbucks for coffee, First Watch for brunch options, the Nike Factory Store for sportswear shopping, or the Rally House for sports apparel and gifts, all within walking distance to complement your visit.
Are there other dining options near Rusty Bucket?
Yes, nearby dining includes Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Don Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, and Buca Di Beppo for pizza and Italian cuisine, offering various choices in the area.
How can nearby services be useful when visiting Rusty Bucket?
Nearby businesses like KarpeDiam (notary public), Discepoli Financial Planning, and health clinics provide convenient access to additional services you may need before or after your visit to Rusty Bucket.